This little problem is bothering me quite a bit. Since somewhere in 2010 (if I'm not mistaken), the Catalyst Drivers won't allow you to set fan speed manually below 50% in the Catalyst Control Center (AMD Overdrive). Before, I ran my Gainward Radeon HD4850 with a fan speed setting of 42%, wich was just perfect (quiet) and never presented any overheating problems.

That was exactly the reason I kept that legacy driver even when switching to Windows 7. Finally I had to update it, because some games (eg. The Whispered World) would not run with the old driver.

I even tried external control software as MSI Afterburner and SpeedFan - they both work fine, but fan speed still won't go below 50%. So this is clearly "hard"-implemented into the newer driver generation.

I'm just wondering why there isn't something as an "expert" setting. Are all users just considered dumb by AMD? I don't need 50% fan speed while surfing the net or working...

Anyway, you didn't answer his question. Are you using your own tools, or are you going through Overdrive provided through Catalyst?

You mean 6 days and 6 minutes?? LOL

@ OP:

8% difference is that much of an issue? Well ok, have you tried creating a profile in CCC and then editing the XML for a lower fan speed? I'm not sure if it is in there but it may be worth a shot. Outside of that you could switch to water cooling it or putting an aftermarket air cooler on there that has a quieter fan possibly?

Final and most drastic option that you could always attempt would be trying to flash the graphic card's BIOS if you want to take it that extreme but you risk the chance of bricking your card.

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The opinions expressed above do not represent those of Advanced Micro Devices or any of their affiliates.Requiescat In Pace AMD Processor Forums | Member since: 1/19/2009 | Post count: 4142Please don't PM me with questions, instead create a thread so that everyone can assist and benefit from the knowledge provided. Thanks in advance!

It should go below 50% using the automatic setting. Mine is at 22% currently. There's no reason to control something just because you can. The automatic setting is the best. Most silent while idle, and no fear of overheating. I just can't understand while people touch this setting.

@Eydee: Hm, strange, because using the automatic setting, fan speed never goes below 50% here, even in idle mode. Temp is 39 degree Celsius atm. And the fan is not really silent, although this is very subjective.

@Canis-X: Thanks for the profiles-tip, however, is it possible that in the newest version of CCC, you can't make profiles? I couldn't find it. (Version 12.6)

@Eydee: Hm, strange, because using the automatic setting, fan speed never goes below 50% here, even in idle mode. Temp is 39 degree Celsius atm. And the fan is not really silent, although this is very subjective.

@Canis-X: Thanks for the profiles-tip, however, is it possible that in the newest version of CCC, you can't make profiles? I couldn't find it. (Version 12.6)